Sermon Central
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Bearing A Burden, Shouldering A Load Series
Contributed by Aarron Ellerman on Mar 17, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Our responsiblities to the body include discipline, encouragement, compassion, and commitment.
Series: Study of Galatians
Text: Galatians 6:1-5
Title: “Bearing a Burden, Shouldering a Load”
I. Restoration (1)
• “You who are spiritual.”
o Those who are spiritually mature have a responsibility to the rest of the body.
o That starts with getting involved in the lives of others, especially younger, less mature Christians. (The idea of mentoring)
o This also gives us a background of credibility because a relationship is established.
• “restore…spirit of gentleness.”
o The goal of discipline is restoration, not punishment.
o Nor is the goal to embarrass a brother or sister in Christ, whether intentional or not.
o The word “restore” (katarizo), which was a medical term meaning to set a broken bone.
o A quick painless healing.
• “considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
o Cleanse yourself first.
II. Relief (2)
• In the light of that hurting brother or sister who has become overtaken by sin, share the load for a while.
o Be a help and not a burden.
o We should be lifting one another up with encouraging words, praying for one another, doing whatever we can to build others up not tearing them down.
• The law of Christ is fulfilled in simply one word love.
III. Repentance (3-4)
Vs. 3
• Don’t be full of yourself.
o This will keep you from effectually fulfilling the first two principles of restoration and relief.
o It’s like having the attitude of not wanting to get your hands dirty or involved in the lives of others.
• The key is remembering that anything good in us is only because of Christ and without Him we are nothing.
Romans 12:3 -- 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Vs. 4
• We are to examine our own lives first and foremost.
Matthew 7:3-5 -- 3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? 5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
o Notice Jesus does not say do not get involved in the lives of others, He just says cleanse yourself first, repent and be made whole again.
• “and then he will have rejoicing…”
o In other words rejoice in what God has done in your own life and not in that you can find a worse sinner than yourself (God does not grade on a curve.)
o Keep your focus on the goal and the prize of Jesus Christ.
IV. Respect (5)
• Knowing when to step back and let go.
• If verse 5 seems to contradict verse 2, then there must be a deeper understanding.
o The differences lie in the two words; burden and load (actually two different Greek words)
o Burden has the idea of something that is too big for one person to carry alone.
o Load means a small pack. Something that must be carried personally.
• Paul is saying don’t let each other struggle under a heavy weight, but also don’t smother one another so we cannot carry out our own deeds.
Matthew 11:30 -- 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
• We all have been given our loads to carry and we will be held accountable to Christ for the faithfulness in which we carried it.
